Newsom is hoping to gain momentum for a potential presidential bid. But that momentum may have just evaporated.
And Gavin Newsom was hit with the surprise of his life from an unexpected source.
California Governor Gavin Newsom faced sharp criticism this week from Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, who accused him of ignoring the needs of women and declared that he should never become president.
Speaking at the Dealbook Summit in New York, Berry, 59, expressed frustration with Newsom’s decision to veto a bill intended to improve menopause care in California—for the second year in a row.
“At this stage in my life, I have zero f–ks left to give,” Berry told the audience before directly addressing the governor’s actions, per the Hollywood Reporter.
“Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row,” she said. “But that’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”
Her remarks reportedly caused audible surprise among attendees at Lincoln Center.
Newsom, whose second term ends in 2026, has openly stated he is considering a run for president in 2028. Current polls often place him near the top of potential Democratic candidates.
The legislation he rejected would have required health insurance plans to include recommendations for menopause treatment and mandated training for healthcare providers on the issue.
Berry, who founded a women’s health company focused on menopause and longevity, used the moment to highlight what she sees as the devaluation of older women in American society.
“In 2025, there is a lot to still be talked about and discovered and uncovered, especially if you are a woman who is navigating midlife and thoughtfully considering your longevity, because in 2025 I, Halle Berry, and women of my age are simply devalued in this country,” she said.
She continued: “Our culture thinks that, at 59 years old, I am past my prime, and that women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media. Women are pressured to stay forever 35.”
A spokesperson for Governor Newsom responded that the veto was based on concerns that the bill, as written, would increase healthcare costs for millions of Californians.
“The governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berry’s advocacy and looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this critical issue,” the spokesperson said to the New York Post.
They added that Newsom shares the goal of expanding access to menopause care and believes a better version of the legislation can be passed without raising costs.
Critics of Newsom argue that his repeated vetoes send a clear message about his priorities, especially as he positions himself for a national campaign.
Supporters of the governor maintain that protecting families from higher insurance premiums must take precedence, even when it means rejecting bills with worthy intentions.
Whatever the reasoning, Halle Berry’s public condemnation has put a spotlight on an issue that affects millions of women—and on a governor who may soon ask those same women for their votes in a presidential election.
For now, one thing is certain: a prominent California voice has declared that Gavin Newsom’s treatment of women’s health issues disqualifies him from higher office.
Whether the rest of the country agrees remains to be seen.
